Now We Wait
“Okay, so jumping onto the dragon was a bad idea. I’ll admit that,” Farrin said.
“One of the worst you’ve ever conjured,” Horil replied, shifting her weight to gain better purchase, “I just can’t believe she hasn’t come back.”
“Matters could always be worse though,” the wily man continued his rationalization, “She could come back, for example, or it could be raining or snowing even.”
“We’re over a thousand wheels in the air!” Horil’s distaste at the way her shout vanished into the cloudy nothingness was paramount.“It’s time. Are you ready?” Farrin asked, his reflective tone shifting into all seriousness.
Horil nodded a silent affirmative, squeezing the man to which she clung. Her hands were tired, her fingers numb, but unless she sprouted wings spontaneously, she was going to survive this. For spite if nothing else.
Farrin glanced up at the short length of rod he held with both hands. Twisting the safety release, the glowing platinum caps recessed and gravity seized the pair, hurling them toward the distant landscape below. The timing was tricky without a frame of reference. Just how far were they falling and how fast? He had already dislocated a shoulder, which was still painful, but much improved after Horil’s divine touch. He activated the trigger and the rod extended once more. The rod latched onto the nothingness, and Farrin held on for dear life.
“Uuumpphh!” the pair grunted in unison. Farrin’s grip held, but Horil’s did not. She ratcheted down her partner’s length with clawing squeals. One hooked hand snatched onto his belt and dragged his pants halfway down over his ass. The excessive force made Farrin pass some of his own wind.
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me!” Horil cackled, overcome with hysteria, and the pair got to laughing such that they almost plummeted to their doom. “Stop! STOP! Or you’ll kill us both!” she cried, swinging her free hand up to grab among his tunic and leather vest again.
“Okay. Okay, I’m okay,” Farrin replied after some deep breaths, “Now. Was that six or seven charges?”